Justification:
The Sailfin Roughshark (Oxynotus paradoxus) is an uncommon deepwater bottom shark found at depths from 265–720 m. The species reaches a maximum reported size of up to 118 cm total length. Moderately abundant in deeper offshore waters off the British Isles. The species is probably taken as bycatch of offshore trawling fleets but no information is available on frequency. The species’ known depth range is entirely within the range of deepwater fisheries operating in the Northeast Atlantic, although the Mid-Atlantic ridge and southern part of its range probably offer some refuge from fishing pressure. Furthermore, it is possible that the Sailfin Roughshark is continuously distributed along the northeast and eastern central Atlantic floor, deeper than presently known. Alternatively, separate slope and ridge populations may exist. Given the paucity of information available on this species it is assessed as Data Deficient. Research is needed to better define the distribution, population structure and the impact of fisheries on the species.

Northeast Atlantic: along the Atlantic Slope from Scotland (including the northern North Sea), to Ireland, southern England, France, Spain, Portugal, Madeira, the Canary Islands, the Azores (Compagno in prep, Azevedo, Sousa and Brum 2003). Also recently reported from the Mid-Atlantic ridge (Hareide and Garnes 2001).

Eastern Central Atlantic: Morocco, Mauritania, Sahara, Senegal, and possibly southwards to the Gulf of Guinea. Not recorded in the Mediterranean (Compagno in prep).

Based on the presence of this species in the Azores and Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a bathybenthic habitat has been suggested, with spring reproductive migrations to the continental shelf. This represents a significant westward extension of its previously known geographic distribution. It is possible that O. paradoxus is continuously distributed along the north-eastern Atlantic floor, deeper than presently known. Alternatively, separate slope and ridge populations may exist (Azavedo et al. 2003).

Moderately abundant off the British Isles. Catches in the waters of the British Isles indicate that O. paradoxus is rare in inshore waters (three individuals were reported from Irish inshore waters by Quigley and Flannery 1994), but numerous others have been caught in deeper offshore waters (Ni Mhurachu and O’Connor 1987, Henderson 1996, Quigley and Flannery 1996).

An uncommon deepwater bottom shark found on the continental slope at depths from 265–720 m. Its maximum size is about 118 cm total length (TL), while size at birth about 25 cm TL. Reproduction is ovoviviparous.

This species is an uncommon bycatch of offshore trawling fleets (Compagno 1984). There is a continuing trend for deepwater fisheries in the northeast Atlantic, with overall concern for the status of deepwater species. Trawl and gillnet fisheries operate throughout the species’ known depth range in areas of the northeast Atlantic (see ICES 2006, 2007 for further information on the fisheries), but no information is available on the bycatch of this species.

The Mid-Atlantic ridge and southern part of the species’ range, off the western Africa coast, may offer some refuge from fishing pressure, particularly if the species’ is continuously distributed along the northeast and Eastern Central Atlantic floor, deeper than presently known.

No measures are in place. Further research is required to determine the true extent of the range of the species. Like many poorly known deepwater species, research is also required into life history characteristics.